Tennessee DL signee Isaiah Campbell named No. 30 prospect in final 2025 On300

Upon decommitting from Clemson in September, Durham (N.C.) Southern defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell had a few teams at the top of his list, but the momentum lied with Tennessee.

The Volunteers continued to trend until Campbell came to a decision finally on Dec. 4 during National Signing Day. He pledged to Josh Heupel and Co. and could turn out to be their most impactful recruit in the 2025 cycle.

On Thursday, the 6-foot-3.5, 265-pounder was named one of 32 five-star prospects in the final edition of the 2025 On300 recruiting rankings. He checks in at No. 30 overall and is also the No. 2 D-lineman in the cycle.

Across two seasons for Southern School in Durham, Campbell managed 200 total tackles and 28 sacks. He lived in opposing backfields and helped lead his school to an 11-win season in 2024.

“Campbell is a top combine athlete who is highly explosive for his size,” On3’s Charles Power wrote of Campbell. “Shows high-level first-step quickness with the ability to time his initial burst with the snap count. Consistently blows up plays behind the line of scrimmage. Shows outstanding closing speed. Runs like an EDGE prospect in the body of a defensive lineman. Excellent effort and play speed in pursuit. Will run down plays 20 to 30 yards downfield.”

Campbell capped off a Top-10 recruiting class for the Vols

Heupel and his staff had already compiled quite the haul in the 2025 cycle, but Campbell’s December decision was the icing on top. He’s one of two On300 five-stars in the class, alongside elite offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.

The relationships that Campbell built in Knoxville were ultimately a deciding factor in his recruitment. The electric fanbase on Rocky Top didn’t hurt things, either.

“The biggest reason why I am going to Tennessee is because they have great men of character,” Campbell told On3. “They have coach Tim Banks, coach Heupel and coach Rodney Garner. They’re competing for national championships. They are competing in the SEC and they have a great program. I’ve liked learning what they talk about in the d-line room and they’re making men of character there.”  

“I love the fans. God bless the fans because they root for their team. I don’t care if they’re going against the University of Texas or they’re going against an FCS school. That fanbase is going to be there and they’re going to love Tennessee.”

Tennessee’s class ranks No. 10 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Campbell is one of three blue-chip D-linemen in the class, flanking four-star Ethan Utley and four-star Charles House.